have an understanding of the general discourse around ‘music criticism’, ‘culture in the media’ and ‘music and language’ — and, just as important, have bold original ideas to bring to the table

be willing to be an active and committed part of a team working to create radio content as well as work individually writing texts

Maximum number of participants: 16

Course contents

A hands-on course that questions dominant narratives in contemporary cultural discourse. How can we write and talk about new music in a way that is useful, vivid, profound and accessible? How do we make the best use of various media platforms to ensure that new music remains vibrant and relevant in the public imagination?
How to report on the politics, sociology and industry ecosystem around new music as well as major genres, practitioners, current trends, new works and performances?
What role does the writer and critic have within the new music community? How far do journalistic ethics cross over in to less formal platforms, such as social media? What role does editorial responsibility play?
Interviews with composers, musicians, journalists and programmers.
Participants will be expected to generate engaged, flexible, fresh-thinking content, from written reviews and essays to radio interviews and features.

A peer-led process: Participants will get involved not only in the writing, talking and recording, but also in commissioning and editing the content they want to read/hear from their peers.
Producing a daily radio show/podcast with all participants hosting, writing and editing interviews, discussions and reviews of the music at the 2018 Darmstadt Summer Course, with freedom to decide the editorial and content together.

Focused writing periods looking at writing styles for different platforms — blogs, magazines, journals.
Course Directors have professional experience in new music journalism and broadcasting for amongst others the BBC, Guardian, Wire Magazine, Opera.
In previous years radio content produced by participants has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and published in print formats.
The course will be taught in English.

Kate Molleson and Peter Meanwell will select sixteen submissions until end of March 2018 at the latest.
The sixteen selected applicants must be registered participants of the Summer Course.
No scholarships will be granted for this project.

The selected participants receive after the end of the application period a form by which the recognition of the project can be organized individually at the home university already in advance.